Gallery: Joe Biden visits Syracuse University to speak about sexual assault prevention

Vice President Joe Biden takes pictures with the crowd inside Goldstein Auditorium after his speech about sexual assault prevention on college campuses. Logan Reidsma | Photo Editor

Syracuse University students wait inside Goldstein for the "It's On Us" event with the vice president. Logan Reidsma | Photo Editor

Biden waves to the crowd as he takes the stage for his speech about sexual assault prevention. Logan Reidsma | Photo Editor

The line to get inside the Schine Student Center spanned all the way down University Place. Emma Wishnow | Staff Photographer

Members of the vice president's Secret Service were stationed on the roof of buildings to act as security for the event. Moriah Ratner | Asst. Photo Editor

A helicopter flew over the SU campus during the vice president's visit to his alma mater. Emma Wishnow | Staff Photographer

The Syracuse University Marching Band performed during the "It's On Us" event before the vice president spoke. Logan Reidsma | Photo Editor

Biden spoke at SU as part of a four-stop college tour to address sexual assault and relationship violence prevention on college campuses. Logan Reidsma | Photo Editor

Syracuse Police Department officers gathered near the Sheraton Hotel on Waverly Avenue in preparation for the vice president's visit. Emma Wishnow | Staff Photographer

During his speech, the vice president spoke about sexual assault calling it a "heinous crime." Moriah Ratner | Asst. Photo Editor

A Department of Public Safety officer addresses the crowd outside of the Schine Student Center in preparation for Biden's departure. Emma Wishnow | Staff Photographer

Biden addressed a filled-to-capacity Goldstein Auditorium on Thursday afternoon during his about 25-minute speech. Logan Reidsma | Photo Editor

At the beginning of his remarks, the vice president, who is a Syracuse University alumnus, said it was good to be back home in Syracuse. Moriah Ratner | Asst. Photo Editor

Biden announced in October that he would not be running for president. Biden said he wouldn't run if he wasn't emotionally prepared after the death of his son Beau, who was also an SU alumnus. Moriah Ratner | Asst. Photo Editor

Lots of students gather at the Waverly Avenue crosswalk after hearing the vice president's speech. Logan Reidsma | Photo Editor

Biden encouraged every person in the room to take the "It's On Us" pledge and hold their universities accountable for their stances against sexual assault. Logan Reidsma | Photo Editor

Many members of the media were present during the "It's On Us" event. Logan Reidsma | Photo Editor

State Troopers prepare to start the motorcade for Biden's departure. Logan Reidsma | Photo Editor

During his speech, Biden commended the courage of sexual assault survivors and applauded Samantha Skaller, a junior at SU who was selected to serve on the national It’s On Us Student Advisory Committee, for speaking out about her rape. Logan Reidsma | Photo Editor